THEY’RE normally heard chanting Ging Gang Goolie while toasting marshmallows around a camp fire. But all this week Oxfordshire’s Scouts and Guides have been performing a few more up-to-date hits in a series of shows for this year’s Gang Show.

Oxfordshire Scouting and Guiding Association began the series of singing, sketches and dances on Monday at the Radley College Theatre.

And around 100 young people from more than 20 Oxfordshire Scout and Guide groups have taken part across the course of the week with the finale show tonight.

Didcot Explorer Scout Christopher Gadd, 16, from St Birinus School said he is thrilled by how well the performances have been received.

He said: “It’s going really well, but I’m absolutely shattered. There have been a few little hiccups, but that’s all quite normal. My dancing is improving after all the practise we’ve had this year.”

The group of eight to 25 year-olds spent more than five months rehearsing for the extravangaza.

Fellow scout, Josh Cummings from the 28th Oxford Scout group, loves the atmosphere on stage at the Gang Show.

The 10-year-old said: “I love it. This is my third year and I do still get nervous performing on stage, but it is exciting. Singing is one of my favourite things to do and I think the shows are great fun.”

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This year’s Gang Show featured a piece to commemorate 100 years since the start of the First World War.

In the piece, one of the Scout members goes on stage to make the official declaration.

The performance, which was produced by Guide leader Sian Williams, featured lights, smoke and cascading poppies.

Mr Gadd said: “It was a quite moving moment and we feel very lucky that our producer Sian was able to put that together.”

Miss Williams, 22, from 6 Headington Guides, said: “I have worked with a lot of the girls since they started Brownies and it is great to see them all grow up. My sister used to be part of the Gang Show and it is a big thing in my family.”

Business director Jackie Gadd: “The scouts come from all across Oxfordshire and they are a really good team. We are all like a big happy family. That’s the spirit of the Gang Show.”

The Scouts and Guides have performed a piece to commemorate the First World War at each performance this week.